Alex bernstein



(No Model.)

A. BBRNSTEIN, Electric Lamp. No. 243,196. Patented June 21,1881.

WITNESSES INVENTOR z fiuvwim BY M r ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

ALEX BERNSTEIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,196, dated June 21,1881 Application filed February 25, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEX BERNSTEIN, of the city, county, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricLamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in regulators or electriclamps, based on the principle of the voltaic are, whereby each lamp maybe made entirely independent of the other lamps in the same circuit, andalso to some extent independent of the strength of the current and speedof the current-generating machine, while at the same time the length ofthe arc and power otthe lightcm be regulated at pleasure, so that onelamp may be worked with a small are, another with a large are, and bothbe in the same circuit.

The invention consists in connecting the main circuit, containing anelectric lamp, and a branch circuit, within which are arranged separatesets of resistance-coils, by means of a metallic connection, usuallycalled a bridge, said bridge being provided with electromagnets or otherappliances by which the size of the arc is regulated. The bridgecontains a lever or other device by which more or less resistance can bethrown into action at either side of the bridge. The electric lamp orregulator, beingintended to be used in series,is provided, besides thearc-regulating appliances, with means for cutting out orshort-circuiting the lamp whenever the current is prevented from passingthrough the carbons ot' the lamp.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel represents a diagram illustratingthe principle of my improved electric lamp. Fig. 2 is a side elevation,partlyin section, of the lamp, showing the principle as applied to aregulator; and Fi 3 is a sectional side elevation of the box containingthe resistance -coils and the regulating-lever.

In proceeding to describe my improved electric lamp, I will first setforth the principle upon which the action of the lamp is based, thendescribe the devices used for carrying the principle into practice.

The main circuit is divided at a point where a regulator has to be usedinto two branches, as in Fig. 1, of which the upper one, a c 1),contains the lamp L, between a c, and a small resistance, a, between 0I), while the lower one (No model.)

contains two sets of resistance-coils, r r, one being smaller, the otherlarger. A lever, l, swings on a pivot, f, and carries two arms,f f whichare so arranged relatively to there sistances r 0' that more or lessresistance can be placed between a d and (Z I), and vice versa. Thelever Z is made of conducting metal and its pivotfconnected electricallywith the point 0 of the upper branch. Between f and c an electro-ma-gnetor other suitable apparatus, 0, is arranged, which regulates the lengthof the arc of the lamp L. Now, according to the laws of electricitythere is no current passing over the bridge 0 (I when there is a certainratio between the resistances in the parts a c, c b, a d, and (Z I).Supposing the arc to have a resistance of two ohms, including the lampand the wire between a and c, the resistance between 0 b to be one-tenthohm, the resistance ad to be two hundred ohms, and (I Z) to be ten ohms,then no current can flow between 0 and d, these two points being then ofequal potential; but if the length of the are were to increase, therebyincreasing its resistance, then a current would fiow through d c, whichreverses its direction, when the resistance of the arc decreases onaccount of the carbons being too close together. The regulatingapparatus 0 is arranged in such a way as to keep the carbons immovablewhen there is no current flowing through c d, while a current in thedirec tion (Z 0 will cause the carbons to approach each other, and thereverse current will cause them to go apart. Itis now easily understoodthat accordingto the principles of the Wheatstone bridge the carbonswill be kept immovable as soon as the resistance a c is equal to theresistance a d multiplied by c b and divided by d l), and the length ofthe are which is maintained in the lamp is only regulated by theproportion these resistances bear to each other. As the resistances a.(Z and d b can be varied by moving the lever l on its pivot f, so thelength of the arc can be varied by the same means. This arrangement maybe so modified that a current of a certain strength through c (I willkeep the carbons in their places, and that the motion of the carbons isproduced by the regulating apparatus 0 when this current is weaker orstronger than the normal current in c d; but this is a mere modificationof my invention, and the main features of the construe tion will remainthe same. The lamp may be made with both carbons movable at the sametime to keep the same focusing-point, or only one carbon may be made tomove.

In the regulating apparatus 0 one or more electro'maguets may be madeuse of, or coils with axially-movable cores or wires, which expand byheat. The artificial resistances between a d and d b may be of any knowncon struction, and instead of the leverl any other device for throwingin and out the resistances may be used, as all this is withoutinfiuenceon the essential points of my invention.

I shall now proceed to describe the application of the principle setforth to the construction of an electric lamp, it being understood thatthe details may be varied in different ways.

In Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, L represents a lamp, and B a suitablebox, which may be attached to the lamp itself or be arranged at anyplace most convenient for use, said box containing the resistance-coilsand the regulating-lever l.

u G O are the carbons between which the voltaic arc is formed, thecarbons being secured to carbon-holders at the ends of toothed rods,which gear respectively with a train of intermeshing gear-wheels, m m,each train operating a fly, F or F, by which the downward motion of thecarbon is prevented from being too quick. I make both carbons movable,and provide, consequently, both with regulatingfiies, the length of theare being decreased when the upper and increased when the lower carbonmoves downward.

In connection with the flies F F are arranged two armature-levers, G G,which are provided with insulating material at their outer ends, andwhich are thrown into the path of the flies when the armatures at theiropposite ends are attracted to electro-magnets H H. The armature-leversare made of steel and permanently magnetized, one having its north poleand the other its south pole opposite to their respective magnets H H.These are provided with the usual soft'iron cores, in which, when thereis no current passing through the coils, the armature-levers G G willinduce magnetism in the cores, so as to be attracted and assume thepositions shown in Fig. 2, in which the outer ends of the armature-leverstop the flies. Suitable spiral springs, It R, the tension of which canbe regulated, oppose this force of attraction. If a current is passingthrough the electro-magnets H H, the iron cores of the same assume thesame polarityforinstance, a north polarity. The consequence will be thatat the upper magnet, H, repulsion takes place between the iron core andthe armature-lever G, so that the latter is thrown out of the path ofthe flyand the same allowed to revolve, causing the upper carbon to befed downward by its own weight. Simultaneously therewith the armature ofthe lower electromagnet will be attracted with increased force, andthereby the lower carbon retained in place.

If the current through both electro-magnets is of opposite direction tothe former, then repulsion takes place at the lower magnet, therebycausing the lower carbon to move downward, while the upper one is firmlyheld in position. The current which is passing through these electromagnets is the current of the bridge (1 0, Figs. 1 and 3.

I prefer to make the soft-iron core of the upper electro-magnet, H,movable, suspending it from a permanent steel magnet, S, which, in itsturn, is suspended from a spring or a weighted lever, and is movableinside of a coil, U. The coil U is connected with the carbons so as tobe in circuit with the same, theaction of the current drawing the steelcore S downward, so as to bring the iron core of the electro-magnet Hwithin the influence of the steel armature-lever G. In case there is nocurrent passing through the carbonsand the coil U, then the soft-ironcore will be raised by the spring V. As the armature-lever G then findsno core in which to induce magnetism, it will be raised by its spring R,.and consequently the upper carbon will. be allowed to move down.

The device for regulating the size of the are is shown in Fi 3, andconsists of a lever, 1, having are shaped coils 1 r and a smallresistance, T2. By moving the lever to one side or the other, more orless of the resistances 4' 2" are brought into action, therebyregulating the distance of the are formed between the carbons. Theconnections of the wires are made in such a way that the carbons and thecoil U are in the branch a c, the small resistance 'r in the branch 0 b,the larger resistances r a" respectively in the branches a d and I) d,and the electro-magnets H H are placed in the diagonal connection orbridge (I c. The points a and b of the main circuit are, furthermore,connected by a third branch circuit, through which the current is thrownwhen the distance between the carbons is too great, in which case nocurrent will pass through the lamp and the coil U, so that the spring Wwill lift a lever, Z, against a contact, X, establishing a directconnection between a and b and cutting out the lamp. At the moment whenthe carbons touch each other a part of the current will be thrownthrough the lamp and the coil U, whereby the core of the coil U is drawndownward and the contact between X and the lever Z interrupted, so thatthe whole current will then be thrown through the lamp. The directconnection between a and b by means of the contact-lever Z is not ashunt, such as has before been used for similar purposes,but it is ashort circuit for cutting out the lamp, which is established the momentwhen the main current is prevented from going through the lamp, for somereason or other.

The lamp functions are as follows: If the resistance of the arc is anormal one-that is to say, one which corresponds to the ratio of thefour resistances described, to wit, a 0, c I), a (Z, d b then no currentcan flow from c to d, on the well-known principle of the Wheatstonebridge, and both carbons will be consequently held in proper place andmaintain the proper size of the arc. As soon as the size of the arcincreases the resistance of the same increases at the same time, and thecurrent is now compelled to flow from d to 0 over the bridge, therebycausing the armature-leverGto be repelled, while the lower armattire-lever, G,is attracted and held in place. The upper carbon isthereby allowed to slide down slowly until the proper size of the arc isreestablished, in which case no flow of current takes place over thebridge and the carbons are again held in their places. If for any reasonthe size of the arc should decrease, the current will flow in thedirection 0 d over the bridge, thereby causing the lower armature-lever,G, to be repelled and the upper attracted, so as to allow the lowercarbon to slide down slowly until again the normal size of the are isreestablished.

It is obvious that the normal size of the arc will merely depend ontheposition ot'the lever Z, by which the ratio between the four resistancesin the bridge can be altered at will. If the position of the lever lischanged by throwingin more or less resistance between a d and d I), thenormal size of the arc will be larger or smaller, according to the ratioof the resistances, while the functioning of the carbonregulatingelectro-magnet is exactly the same as before described. The lever l andthe resistances r r are'arranged either in direct connection with thelamp or preferably in a box or case at a convenient point where thelever can be readily reached, so that any person without knowledge ofthe apparatus can turn on any desired size of light. If thelight shouldgo out entirely for want of carbon or any other cause, then the lamp iscut out of circuitby the action of the lifting-spring W, lever l, andcontact X, and the current short-circuitcd over the branch wire from ato Z). -Oonsequently there will be no interruption in the supply ofcurrent to the remaining lamps in the same circuit, and thustheindependence of each lamp in the same series fully established.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. The combination of an electric lamp placed in themain circuit with sets of resistance-coils placed in a branch circuit,and with electroregulating appliances placed in a metallic connection orbridge between the main and branch circuits, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of an electric lamp placed in the main circuit, ofsets of resistance-coils placed in the branch circuit, of a metallicconnection or bridge between the main and branch circuits, and ofelectro-magnets and mechanism attached thereto to regulate the distancebetween the carbons, the electro-magnets and regulating mechanisms beingarranged within the bridge, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of an electric lamp and of an elertro-magnet, bothplaced in the main circuit, and sets of resistance-coils placed in abranch circuit, with electro-regulating appliances placed in a metallicconnection or bridge of the main and branch circuits, and of a thirdbranch circuit and contact devices, whereby the lamp and electro-magnetare cut out and the current short circuitcd over the contact devices,substantially as described.

I. In an electric lamp, the combination, with a lamp placed in the maincircuit and with electroregulating appliances placed in a metallicconnection or bridge between the main and branch circuits, of ashunt-circuit having a spring-acted contact-lever and insulated stop,and of axial electro-magnets, the vertically-suspended cores of whichactuate the shunting-le- \cr, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I lltlNG signedmy name, in presence ottwo witnesses, this 22d day ofFebruary, 1881.

ALEX BEBNSTEIN.

Witnesses PAUL GoErEL, CARL KARI.

